​Aston Martin V8 Vantage X Pack Coupe​

Aston Martin V8 Vantage X Pack Coupe

The 1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage X-Pack Coupe represents the pinnacle of performance, craftsmanship, and exclusivity in the late 1980s for Aston Martin. This car embodies a blend of hand-built tradition and cutting-edge engineering of its time. Here's the story and history behind this remarkable vehicle:

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Origins of the V8 Vantage

• Introduction of the V8 Vantage (1977): The Aston Martin V8 Vantage was first introduced in 1977 as a high-performance variant of the standard V8. Designed to rival supercars like the Ferrari Daytona, it was dubbed “Britain’s First Supercar.”
• Design and Features: The car was styled by William Towns and featured distinctive aerodynamic enhancements, including a deep front spoiler, flared wheel arches, and a rear lip spoiler.

The X-Pack

By the mid-1980s, Aston Martin refined the V8 Vantage further with the introduction of the X-Pack option.

• What is the X-Pack? The X-Pack was a factory performance upgrade package. It featured significant engine modifications to the 5.3-liter V8, boosting output to approximately 432 horsepower (up from the standard 375 hp).
• Enhanced Engine Components:
  • High-compression Cosworth pistons
  • Larger Weber carburetors
  • High-performance camshafts
  • A reworked exhaust system
• Performance: With the X-Pack, the V8 Vantage could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds and had a top speed of about 170 mph, exceptional for its time.

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Design and Features

• Exterior: The 1988 model retained the classic muscular design with flared arches and distinctive quad headlights. It often came with optional "Oscar India" features, such as a subtly integrated rear spoiler and luxurious trim.
• Interior: Handcrafted interiors included Connolly leather upholstery, wood veneers, and advanced instrumentation for the era.
• Driving Dynamics: The V8 Vantage X-Pack was engineered for superior handling with uprated suspension, wide tires, and better brakes.

Legacy and Exclusivity

• Limited Production: Aston Martin produced only a small number of V8 Vantage X-Pack Coupes, making them highly sought after by collectors today.
• Historical Significance: The X-Pack represents the end of an era when Aston Martin relied heavily on handcrafted production methods before the modern era of computer-aided design and mass production.
• Cultural Impact: The V8 Vantage of this generation gained further fame through its appearance as James Bond’s car in The Living Daylights (1987), although the film car was not an X-Pack.

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Why It’s Special

The 1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage X-Pack Coupe is a testament to Aston Martin’s commitment to blending luxury, craftsmanship, and high performance. It symbolizes the brand’s ability to create a bespoke driving experience, making it one of the most iconic cars in the company’s history.

Today, these cars are prized for their rarity, performance, and representation of Aston Martin’s golden era of hand-built grand tourers.

This Car

First used as the company press car and wore the number plate AMV8 for a number of years, finished in Rolls Royce Balmoral Green with Tan Leather interior piped dark green, the ideal colour specifications for such a car.

Once owned by Victor Gauntlet and Peter Livanos, looked after by all the right people and just covered 15,700 documented and supported miles, which makes this car one of the most original cars in existence today.

Photographs complements of Aston Martin Works